Calistoga freshmen Hania Cortez beats the ball to second base against Willits on April 25.
The Calistoga High softball program qualified for the North Coast Section playoffs for the first time in seven years after winning a share of the North Central League II championship.
The Wildcats (14-6, 12-2 NCL II), who tied Tomales for the league title, are seeded No. 4 in Division 6 and had a bye in Wednesday's first round. They will host a quarterfinal on Friday or Saturday against the winner of Wednesday's 5 p.m. game in Dublin between No. 5 seed Willits (12-9, 11-3 NCL II) and No. 12 Valley Christian (6-7).
Calistoga swept third-place Willits in NCL II play, beating the Wolverines 13-9 at home on April 25 and at Willits 8-7 on May 12. Their only league losses were to Tomales, 3-2 and 20-0.
The Wildcats came back from a 7-0 deficit to win the first Willits game.
"I think just keeping the positivity alive," Calistoga junior pitcher Lily Hernandez said of how the Wildcats turned the game around. "All of the girls, especially the freshmen, are very energetic, so I think having those cheers and chants and going crazy about just the little things helped us get through.
"I was trying to stay calm. It was stressful for sure, but I was trying to keep my cool because I know if I'm stressed I know I can't pitch so I was trying to keep my cool for the team."
First-year head coach Jack McMahon wasn't worried. He's got an experienced team led by five seniors and seven juniors, and six freshmen to keep the excitement up.
"I was confident we could come back. I think the girls were, too," he said, recalling a 12-11 home win over Laytonville in eight innings the game before on April 22. "We were down 9-2 in the top of the sixth inning and we came back, so I think the girls believe in themselves a little more."
He said the team has been led by senior shortstop Xitlali Lopez, her freshman sister Xochilt Lopez at second base, and junior Salma Vasquez at first base.
"They're all starting to come around with the bat," he said after the April 25 game. "Willits is one of the best teams we've played. They've got a pretty good team. It was an exciting game." ■
Dave Mosher contributed to this report.
You can reach Sports Editor Andy Wilcox at [email protected] or 707-256-2220.